Name: Baked Pepperoni Pizza Dip with Ricotta Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese (softened); 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese; 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (divided); 1 Tablespoon italian seasoning; 1 Tablespoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 cup italian gravy (or pizza sauce); 2 ounces pepperoni (sliced); breadsticks, garlic knots or toasted baguette slices

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This hot baked pepperoni pizza dip is the best appetizer! Made with ricotta cheese, cream cheese and mozzarella cheese, this easy layered dip is perfect for game day, a holiday party or family get together.

hand holding breadstick that has been dipped in pizza dip below with cheese stringing from it

This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for content.

Ooey and gooey, this cheesy pepperoni pizza dip is a fun snack. I like serving it as an appetizer for halloween, super bowl or just a fun Friday night with friends. It goes great with a big pot of 3 bean chili, a loaf of italian pesto bread or homemade spinach fettuccine.

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🍕 Ingredient notes
📋 Substitutions and variations
🔪 Step by step instructions
⭐ Expert tips
⏲️ Make ahead instructions
🥡 Storage suggestions
🍕 More pizza recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🍕 Ingredient notes

mozzarella, ricotta, cream cheese, marinara, breadsticks, garlic knots, pepperoni, garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt and pepper

Cheese - I recommend using full fat versions of all of the cheeses. Low fat or non fat varieties tend to have more moisture in them and so the dip may not melt together as well.
Sauce - I typically have a batch or two of my old school italian gravy in the freezer for recipes like this. Your favorite store bought marinara or pizza sauce can also be used.

📋 Substitutions and variations

Vegetarian - Omit the pepperoni for a cheesy vegetarian pizza dip.
White Pizza - Replace the marinara with alfredo sauce for a white pizza dip.
Toppings - Swap out the pepperoni for your favorite pizza toppings, such as sausage and olives, ham and pineapple or veggies.
Cheese - Need even more cheese? Try adding smoked provolone, parmesan cheese, or cheddar cheese to the cheese filling or on top.

🔪 Step by step instructions

First, mix together the ricotta cheese, cream cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese in a bowl. Add in the seasonings and mix everything together until the spices are evenly incorporated throughout the cheese mixture.

wooden spoon mixing cheeses in a bowl and hand pouring spices in cheese mixture in bowl

Spread the cheese mixture into a greased baking dish, pie plate or cast iron skillet in an even layer and then spread the marinara or pizza sauce on top of it.

wooden spoon spreading cheese mixture in a dish and spreading marinara on top of cheese filling

Sprinkle the marinara with the remaining mozzarella cheese and then layer on the pepperoni slices. Bake the dip in a 375˚ oven for about 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly!

shredded cheese and pepperoni slices on dip in a dish and person holding baked pepperoni pizza dip

Serve the hot baked pizza dip with your favorite breadsticks, garlic knots or toasted baguette slices!

cheesy baked pizza dip topped with pepperoni in a dish next to breadsticks and garlic knots

⭐ Expert tips

Don't forget to split the mozzarella cheese. Half of it gets mixed with the other cheeses and spices and the other half get sprinkled on top.
Bring the cream cheese to room temperature or make sure it is at least softened. This will help it to easily mix together with the other cheeses. If you forget, you can always use a hand mixer to easily blend everything together.
When choosing bread or crackers for this dip, try to use larger or sturdier pieces that won't break apart easily when dipped.

⏲️ Make ahead instructions

The dip can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before baking time. Remove it from the refrigerator and allow to sit out a room temperature while the oven preheats and then bake as directed. Cooking temperatures may be a bit longer, so look for the cheese to be melted and bubbly around the edges.

🥡 Storage suggestions

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. The dip can be reheated in the oven or microwave until warm and melty.

For a quick overview of this recipe, check out my web story for this hot baked pizza dip with pepperoni!

🍕 More pizza recipes

If you loved this baked pepperoni pizza dip, check out these other pizza recipes that I know you will love too!

Don't forget! If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me on Facebook and Instagram as well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.

📖 Recipe

baked cheesy pizza dip topped with pepperoni slices next to soft breadsticks

Baked Pepperoni Pizza Dip with Ricotta Cheese

Amanda

5 from 39 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 226 kcal

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese softened
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese divided
1 Tablespoon italian seasoning
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup italian gravy or pizza sauce
2 ounces pepperoni sliced
breadsticks, garlic knots or toasted baguette slices

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375° and grease a shallow baking dish or pie plate with baking spray or butter.
In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese and mix together.
Add in italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper and stir everything together so the seasonings and cheese are well incorporated.
Spread the cheese mixture evenly into the prepared dish and top with the italian gravy. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and top with pepperoni slices.
Bake the pizza dip in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the dip is bubbly.
Serve dip with breadsticks, toasted baguette slices or crackers.

Notes

This recipe yields approximately 3 cups of dip or 8-10 servings

Use full fat versions of all of the cheeses to make sure the cheeses melt and mix together best.
Don't forget to split the mozzarella cheese. Half of it gets mixed with the other cheeses for the bottom filling and the other half get sprinkled on top with the pepperoni.
Bring the cream cheese to room temperature, or make sure it is at least softened, so it easily mixes with the other cheeses. A hand mixer can also be used to easily blend everything together.
When choosing bread or crackers for this dip, try to use larger or sturdier pieces that won't break apart easily when dipped.

Substitutions and Variations

Vegetarian - Omit the pepperoni for a cheesy vegetarian pizza dip.
White Pizza - Replace the marinara with alfredo sauce for a white pizza dip.
Toppings - Switch out the pepperoni for other pizza toppings, such as sausage and olives, ham and pineapple or veggies.
Cheese - Need even more cheese? Try adding smoked provolone, parmesan cheese, or cheddar cheese to the cheese filling or on top.
Sauce - Either homemade sauce, store bought marinara or pizza sauce can be used.

Make Ahead Instructions

The dip can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time. After assembling it, wrap it in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before baking time. Remove it from the refrigerator and allow to sit out a room temperature while the oven preheats and then bake as directed. Cooking temperatures may be longer, so just look for the cheese to be melted and bubbly around the edges.

Storage Suggestions